Tennis practice device

ABSTRACT

Indoor tennis practice apparatus including a hollow unpressurized ball hung on an inelastic tether from an overhead support to be stroked toward an energy-absorbing target including a pliable fabric rectangle having two opposite edges freely suspended from the overhead support along spaced parallel lines to form a draped catenary surface. Both the horizontal spacing between the suspended edges of the fabric rectangle and the horizontal spacing between the target and the ball are adjustable to vary the character of the rebound after the ball is struck. The support can take the form of a single or double target stand or a simple beam structure for home installation.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Louis W. Pattyn 874 Barrington Drive, Gross Pointe Park, Mich. 48236 [21 1 Appl No. 839,495 [22] Filed July 7, 1969 [45] Patented July 20, 1971 [54] TENNIS PRACTICE DEVICE 12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.CI 273/29 A, 273/58 C 51 1m. (:1 ..A63b61/00 .1 [50] Field of Search...'......;... 273/26 A,

26H,29A;95A

[56] References Cited uumao STATES PATENTS 2,305,187 12/1942 Neiden......

Primary ExaminerRichard Cv Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Theatrice Brown Attorney Barnard, McGlynn & Reising ABSTRACT: Indoor tennis practice apparatus including a hollow unpressurized ball hung on an inelastic tether from an overhead support to be stroked toward an energy-absorbing target including a pliable fabric rectangle having two opposite edges freely suspended from the overhead support along spaced parallel lines to form a draped catenary surface. Both the horizontal spacing between the suspended edges of the fabric rectangle and the horizontal spacing between the target and the ball are adjustable to vary the character of the rebound after the ball is struck. The support can take the form of a single or double target stand or a simple beam structure for home installation.

TENNIS PRACTICE DEVICE This invention relates to apparatus for practicing tennis strokes and the like and more particularly to the combination of a tethered ball and an energy-absorbing target of improved characteristics so as to facilitate the practice of tennis and other ball-striking games without benefit of a court or a fixed wall.

To attain any degree of excellence in the playing of tennis and other ball-striking games where the proper form is important requires regular practice. Although this practice is preferably realized under actual play conditions, it is highly advantageous for a player to be able to practice under realistic simulated conditions where neither outdoor facilities nor a playing partner is needed. The most favorable simulated conditions are those in which strokes r shots of different types can be practiced using ball rebound characteristics of a varying nature. One prior art device proposes the use'of a simulated tennis ball tee and a notched raquet which permits striking the ball from the tee. This system not only requires highly specialized equipment, but fails to provide the advantage of requiring the player to strike a moving ball. Another prior art system proposes to tether the ball on an elastic cord which is held in one hand while the ball is struckwith a raquet held with the other hand. This apparatus also fails to provide realistic playing conditions in that it unnaturally requires the player to maintain some kind of tension on the elastic tether and also produces highly erratic ball rebound characteristics.

ln accordance with the present invention, realistic and highly advantageous practicing conditions-are established for the practice of tennis and similar ball-striking games in which ball rebound characteristics can be varied as suits the player and under conditions which permit the player assume a perfectly natural stance and position and to execute a variety of strokes or shots in a reasonably consistent fashion. Moreover, the apparatus associated with the invention can be inexpensively constructed and-installed under various conditions of space and structural limitations.

ln general, the invention comprises an overhead support means and an energy-absorbing target including a preferably rectangular sheet of pliable fabric such as canvas having two opposite edges suspended from the support means along horizontally spaced and substantially parallel support lines to form a catenarylike draped surface and a tethered ball which is suspended from the support means at a point which is horizontally spaced from the target along a line which is substantially perpendicular to the suspended edges of the target. With this apparatus the ball may be struck and propelled toward the target in a substantially arcuate path so as to strike the target in a location which provides the desired ball return or rebound characteristic. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with teaching means such as foot position floor templates and instruction books to permit a player to acquire the precisionwhich is necessary to excel at the game of tennis or other related ball-striking games.

The invention admits of various implementations from a simple installation which can be readily put in place in the ordinary home basement to a double-player transportable stand for use in gymnasiums and other more capacious facilities.

Various additional features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of various illustrative embodiments of the invention, This description is to be taken with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa first embodiment of the invention employing a transportable stand;

P16. 2 is a plan view of the fabric target;

P10. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an unpressurized hollow ball and tether means which may be used in the practice of the invention;

HO. 4 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the invention designed for installation in the ordinary home basement;

FlG. 5 is a side view of a portion of the FlG. 4 apparatus; and,

FIG. 6 is a side view ofa third embodiment of the invention employing a double-player stand.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown an apparatus for practicing tennis strokes and the like indoors without the need for a playing partner or a fixed rebound surface. The apparatus includcs a stand 10 to provide an overhead support for an energ'y-absorbing target 12 and a tethered ball 14. Stand 10 com prises a base including a pair of spacedl-apart leg members 16 and 18 joined by a crosspiecc 20. The leg members are preferably more widely spaced toward the front and narrower toward the rear. Connected to the leg members l6 and 18 toward the rearward ends thereof as considered from the player's position are a pair of upright members 22 and 24 which carry at their upper ends a rectangular frame portion 26. All of the structural members which comprise the stand 10 may be of light tubular material and provided with suitable support struts such as indicated at 28 and 30. lo addition, the leg portions 16 and 18 may be provided with locking castertype wheels 32 such that the entire stand 10 is transportable to any desired location.

The rectangular frame 26 is principally supported relative and 40. Disposed along the side rails 34 and 36 are a plurality of books 42 at spaced locations which are transversely similar with respect to each of the rails 34 and 36. Additional books 44 may be disposed on the front and rear rails 40 and 38 for purposes to become apparent.

As shown in PK]. 2, the target 12 is formed by a rectangular piece of pliable fabric such as canvas and is suspended from the frame 26 by means of reinforced eyelets 46 which are distributed along the opposite edges 48 and 50 to cooperate with the hooks 42 and 44 which are attached to the rail members of the frame 26. The fabric target 12 is dimensioned such that when the parallel and opposite edges 48l and 50 are suspended from the rear and front frame rails 38 and 40 as shown in P10. 1 a loose draping of the material between the support points is produced. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the curve which is defined by a side view of the draped surface is a catenary and, accordingly, the draped surface of the fabric target 12, defined in geometric terms, is that surface which is generated by a linear translation of a catenary. It will be observed that the degree of drape is determined by the horizontal spacing between the supported edges 48 and 50 of the fabric target 12. This is varied by the selection of hooks 42 from which the fabric target is suspended.

Stand 10 further includes ball support means in the form of a tubular member52 which is fixed to the frame 26 so as to extend between and parallel to the side rails 34 and 36. In this position the fixed tubular member 52 is substantially perpendicular to the supported edges 48 and 50 of the fabric target 12. Slidably mounted in the fixed tubular member 52 is a displaceable rod or tube 54 which extends horizontally away from the fabric target [2 toward the play position. The ball 14 is suspended from one end of the displaceable member 54 by means of an inelastic tether 56. The ball 14 is, thus, freely suspended in a position whereby it may be struck and propelled toward the fabric target 12 in an arcuate path and after striking the fabric target 12 will return to the striking position where it may be struck again. The player position may be marked with a floor template 58 which may carry indicia indicating the preferred player foot position for a given stroke.

The displaceable member 54 may be slidably moved relative to the fixed tube 52 to vary the horizontal spacing between the ball 14 and the fabric target 12 therebyto vary the location on the target which is struck by the ball 14 after being struck and propelled by the player. A winged bolt 60 or other suitable means is provided for locking the displaceable member 54 in any of a plurality of positions relative to the fixed member 52 so that no relative movement occurs upon striking the ball 14.

In using the apparatus of FIG. I, the player may program" the apparatus for the practicing of any given stroke by suitable adjustment of the horizontal spacing between the supported edges 48 and 50 of the fabric target 12 and the horizontal spacing between the ball 14 and the target 12, as determined by the relative positions between the members 52 and 54. Should the player wish to practice a hard forehand stroke, he would ordinarily fully extend the displaceable member 54 and space the suspended edges 48 and 50 of the target 12 as far apart as possible to produce the configuration generally shown in FIG. 1. Under these conditions the ball 14, when struck and propelled toward the target 12, travels in a generally arcuate path until it contacts the target 12 on the rear side thereof; that is, on the side of the target 12 which generally faces away from the player. Accordingly, ball 14, after striking the target 12 and dissipating much of the energy imparted thereto, returns toward the striking point in a relatively long arcuat'e path to simulate thelong return time normally associated with a deep court shot. The player may wait until the ball 14 returns for the second time before repeating the stroke, the long are serving to maintain the ball in motion. On the other hand, if the player wished to practice a short stroke, such as that which is encountered when playing near the net in tennis, the spacing between the suspended edges 48 and 50 of the target 12 may be varied by relocating the edges on the innermost of the hooks 42 disposed along the side rails 34 and 36. In addition, the player will ordinarily shorten the horizontal spacing between the ball 14 and the target 12 by telescoping displaceable tube member 54 into the fixed tube member 52 and locking them in the desired position by means of the bolt 60. In addition, the player may wish to suitably adjust the length of the inelastic tether 56 to suit his own height and the desired ball position.

As shown in FIG. 3, ball 14 is preferably hollow and unpressurized. A reject quality tennis ball is particularly suitable for use in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, ball 14 is provided with diametrically oppositely disposed grommets 62 and 64. The inelastic tether extends through the grommets 62 and 64 and is knotted immediately outside of the grommets 62 and 64 as shown at 66 and 68, respectively. Accordingly, the ball 14 is securely mounted on the tether S6 and cannot travel up the tether 56 because of the upper knot 68.

The transportable stand which is shown in FIG. 1 is particularly suitable for gymnasiums and other capacious facilities. The apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, is on the other hand, specifically designed for application to the ordinary home basement wherein the ceiling comprises spaced joists such as those shown at 70, 72, 74, and 76 of FIGS. 4 and 5. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the overhead support means for the fabric target 12 comprises a pair of beam members 78 and 80 which are dimensioned to span the three joists 70, 72, and 74 and to be connected thereto in paralleled spaced relationship as shown in FIG. 4. Screws or other suitable fasteners may be employed to secure the beam member 78 and 80 to the joists. The beam members 78 and 80 may be approximately 33 inches in overall length so as to span the space between the joists which are ordinarily located on 16-inch centers. Installation parallel to the joists is also easily accomplished. Each of the beam members 78 and 80 is provided with a plurality of hooks 82 which are spaced therealong so as to permit the fabric target 12 of FIG. 2 to be suspended therefrom in the draped configuration and to permit variation in the spacing between the suspended edges 48 and 50 as previously described.

The ball 14 and tether 56 may be suspended from a beam member having hooks or screw eyes similar to beams 78 and 80 but disposed between and forwardly of beams 78 and 80. The tether 56 is simply tied to the books of such a beam, a particular hook being chosen at a decided distance from the target 12. Alternatively, the tether 56 may be adjustably hung from a fixed member 86 of tubular configuration and a relalively displaceable member 88 which is slidably inserted within the fixed member 86 to permit variations in the horizontal spacing between the ball 14 and the fabric target 12. A wingbolt 90 is threadedly inserted into the fixed tubular member 86 to permit the members 86 and 88 to be locked in a given relative position.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the stand 10' to accommodate two practicing players. In the embodiment of FIG. 6 the stand I0 includes a base portion 92 and at least one upright member 94 which supports two frame portions 96 and 98 on opposite sides of the upright portion. Each of the frame portions 96 and 98 may be constructed in accordance with the illustration of FIG. I to include side rails having books 100 and 102 to receive and suspend fabric targets 104 and 106, respectively. In addition, each of the frame portions 96 and 98 includes a fixed member (not shown) and an extensible member 108 and 110, respectively, for varying the spacing between the supported balls 112 and 114, respectively, and the associated fabric targets. Each of the players employing the apparatus of FIG. 6 may independently adjust the various parameters of his frame, target, and ball in accordance with his own wishes. It may be advantageous to construct the upright member 94 in such a fashion as to permit an opaque screen to be erected between the practicing players such that one players activities do not interfere with the others.

In actual practice it has been found that suitable dimensions for the fabric target 12 are approximately 60 by 64 inches. Accordingly, the spacing between the supported edges 48 and 50 ranges between l2 and 40 inches, and the overall height of the overhead support is preferably on the order of7 feet. It is to be understood that these dimensions are illustrative only and will be varied in accordance with the individual desires of the player.

The embodiments of the invention in which I claim an exclusive property or privileged are defined as follows:

1. Apparatus for practicing tennis strokes and the like comprising: overhead support means, an energy-absorbing target including a quantity of pliable fabric having two opposite edges suspended from the support means along horizontally spaced substantially parallel lines to form a draped catenary surface, a ball, and tether means for suspending the ball from the support means at a point horizontally spaced from thetarget along a line perpendicularly intersecting said edges such that the ball may be struck and propelled toward the target in an arcuate path and returned to the striking point.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the tether means is an inelastic cord.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim I wherein the ball is hollow and unpressurized.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means on the support means for adjusting the horizontal spacing between the suspended edges of the target.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 including eyelets formed in the material along the suspended edges and a plurality of books disposed at spaced points along the support means perpendicular to the suspended edges.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for adjusting the horizontal spacing between the tether means and the target.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the adjusting means includes a fixed member mounted on the support means, a displaceable member slidably mounted on the fixed member and means for locking the fixed and displaceable members in any of a plurality of relative positions, the tether means being connected to the displaceable member.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the support means comprises a stand having a base, at least one upright member connected to the base, and a rectangular frame portion connected to the upright member, the frame portion including means for receiving the opposite edges of the target in suspended relationship therewith.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including a fixed member mounted on the frame portion and extending horizontally therefrom perpendicular to the suspended target edges, and a displaceable member slidably mounted on the fixed member and carrying the tether means at one end thereof thereby to permit adjustment in the horizontal spacing between the ball and the target, and means for locking the displaceable member in any of a plurality of positions relative to the fixed member.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the support means includes at least two beam members spaced in parallel spaced relationship, each of the beam members having a plurality of longitudinally spaced hooks disposed thereon for receiving the target.

1]. Apparatus as defined in claim further including a hall support member disposed between the beam members in parallel spaced relationship thereto, displaceable means mounted in the ball support member and longitudinally displaceable relative thereto, the tether means being connected to the displaceable means.

12. Apparatus for practicing tennis strokes and the like comprising: a support stand including a base, at least one upright member mounted on the base, first and second frame portions mounted on the upright member and extending horizontally therefrom in opposite directions, a pair of rectangular targets of pliable fabric material, each of the frame portions including means for receiving and supporting opposite parallel edges of a target in parallel spaced relation to form a draped cantenary surface, first and second ball support members mounted on the first and second frame portions, respectively, in horizontally spaced relationship with the targets, so that a tethered ball supported by one of said support members may be struck and propelled against one ofsaid targets. 

1. Apparatus for practicing tennis strokes and the like comprising: overhead support means, an energy-absorbing target including a quantity of pliable fabric hAving two opposite edges suspended from the support means along horizontally spaced substantially parallel lines to form a draped catenary surface, a ball, and tether means for suspending the ball from the support means at a point horizontally spaced from the target along a line perpendicularly intersecting said edges such that the ball may be struck and propelled toward the target in an arcuate path and returned to the striking point.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the tether means is an inelastic cord.
 3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the ball is hollow and unpressurized.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means on the support means for adjusting the horizontal spacing between the suspended edges of the target.
 5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4 including eyelets formed in the material along the suspended edges and a plurality of hooks disposed at spaced points along the support means perpendicular to the suspended edges.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for adjusting the horizontal spacing between the tether means and the target.
 7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the adjusting means includes a fixed member mounted on the support means, a displaceable member slidably mounted on the fixed member and means for locking the fixed and displaceable members in any of a plurality of relative positions, the tether means being connected to the displaceable member.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the support means comprises a stand having a base, at least one upright member connected to the base, and a rectangular frame portion connected to the upright member, the frame portion including means for receiving the opposite edges of the target in suspended relationship therewith.
 9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including a fixed member mounted on the frame portion and extending horizontally therefrom perpendicular to the suspended target edges, and a displaceable member slidably mounted on the fixed member and carrying the tether means at one end thereof thereby to permit adjustment in the horizontal spacing between the ball and the target, and means for locking the displaceable member in any of a plurality of positions relative to the fixed member.
 10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the support means includes at least two beam members spaced in parallel spaced relationship, each of the beam members having a plurality of longitudinally spaced hooks disposed thereon for receiving the target.
 11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10 further including a ball support member disposed between the beam members in parallel spaced relationship thereto, displaceable means mounted in the ball support member and longitudinally displaceable relative thereto, the tether means being connected to the displaceable means.
 12. Apparatus for practicing tennis strokes and the like comprising: a support stand including a base, at least one upright member mounted on the base, first and second frame portions mounted on the upright member and extending horizontally therefrom in opposite directions, a pair of rectangular targets of pliable fabric material, each of the frame portions including means for receiving and supporting opposite parallel edges of a target in parallel spaced relation to form a draped cantenary surface, first and second ball support members mounted on the first and second frame portions, respectively, in horizontally spaced relationship with the targets, so that a tethered ball supported by one of said support members may be struck and propelled against one of said targets. 